Raymond van Barneveld has returned to his old form and is in confident mood, but he faces his biggest rival, his old nemesis, Phil "The Power" Taylor next. Lenny Boyle previews the clash

Back on form: Raymond van Barneveld's confidence is back just in time for his huge match with Phil Taylor

There’s a famous scene in Trainspotting where Ewan McGregor’s character announces, “I haven’t felt that good since Archie Gemmil scored against Holland in 1978.”

Raymond van Barneveld hasn’t beaten Phil Taylor on telly in four years. If he finally does beat him, in their highly anticipated World Championship semi-final, he’ll no doubt say something similar:

“I haven’t felt that good since I beat him in a UK Open quarter-final in 2008.”

Because since then - the rivalry electrified the sport in it’s 2006/07 heyday- it’s been a tad one sided. Sixteen times since that UK Open quarter they’ve met on TV; Taylor’s won them all.

He’s had a major hoodoo on van Barneveld. Barney’s an artist, a sensitive type, a vulnerable soul. He wears his heart on his sweatband. He even had a wee blub after winning a crucial set against Simon Whitlock in their quarter-final.

Flow the tears.

It’s because of his artistic sensibility that Taylor’s mind games have been so effective. The odd dig here, the odd nudge there, a bit of post-match condescension, and before you know it: Barney has a full on Phil-Phobia, a Power-Psychosis.

Basically Phil has owned Barney’s nut for years.

Phil’s no artist. He’s a technician, the finest tungsten technician who ever lived. He says he’s mellowed with age, but that’s a psych-out too.

Taylor demolished Hamilton in the last eight. But still, he hasn’t particularly impressed. He averaged 101, but the Hammer barely turned up, offered little resistance.

Phil earned his degree in mind games at Eric Bristow’s ample teat. He drank it all in like mother’s milk. How could he resist employing the dark arts against a sensitive, continental dartist? Why, that’s just more chump meat for the maestro.

Mellow, aging Phil went back to the well after his routine win over Hammer. It had been so effective in the past, why not trot out the old mind-games?

Barney let it be known he wanted the Power to beat Hamilton. He relished the opportunity to face his old foe, his arch-nemesis, the yin to his yang.

He wanted Phil to smash Hammer, and set up a semi-final that would really test his mettle, after a tournament littered with stellar Barney performances. His first round average, at 108.31, and his quarter-final average, at 102.32, are the highest of this year’s competition.

Barney has been by far the most impressive player of the tournament, much more so than Taylor. He doesn’t fear Phil, that’s what he said after his last eight win. He might have added: not any more.

This was Phil’s response: why say it then? The follow up was implied; someone, truly, who didn’t fear him wouldn’t have to make that announcement.

Phil’s old master taught him well. Eric’s the Emperor to Phil’s Darth Vader.

Barney’s been a brand new Barney since his, out of nowhere, return to elite-status at the Grand Slam. He stormed that tournament, and even beat darts’ current wonder-lad Mighty Michael van Gerwen in the final.

Since his wife Sylvia returned to his cheering section - no coincidence, he admits - Barney has oozed retro-confidence, and composure. He’s the old Barney, or perhaps a newer, even better Barney: Neo-Barney. Whatever the formulation, he’s better. And this is his best chance to unseat the Power in years.

But who better to test this new state of affairs, the fragility of this new persona, than Phil Taylor? He’ll put the new uber-confident Barney through the ringer. The new Barney who delivered a performance of real finesse against Whitlock in the last eight; a performance of swaggering charisma, and elegant arrers.

Who better to test the foundations of the new Barneveld, to kick his tires, to find out if he’s built on the same old house of cards?

Bring on the latest chapter in the Barney/Taylor psycho-drama.

Watching this recent iteration of Barneveld has been nostalgic. He hasn’t played anything like this in years. There’s been the odd false dawn, but nothing like this.

But all of it could disappear in a puff of smoke when Raymond van Barneveld faces his old nemesis. His Moriarty.

This retro rivalry looked done. Despite barely impressing in the tournament, Taylor could annihilate Neo-Barney. The hoodoo may still have legs. If Taylor does annihilate him, Neo-Barney could be snuffed out in the cradle.

But if Phil Taylor has no answers for the new Barneveld - well, then things are about to get interesting.